Verdicts & Settlements
Below you will find a representative list of cases resolved by the attorneys of our firm. You will note an asterisk (*) beside many of these cases, denoting cases resolved by "confidential" settlement. Confidentiality is often a precondition to settlement. Confidentiality precludes our office, our clients as well as adversaries from disclosing the terms of settlement. Defendants often seek confidentiality in order to prevent others from using our cases as precedent for similar cases handled by other lawyers or law firms. Confidentiality also benefits our clients, maintaining their fiscal privacy, serving to minimize unwanted advances and harassment from unscrupulous financial solicitors.
Susan Coleman, as surviving Heir of Ruthie Lacey, Deceased, Respondent/Cross-Appelant,
vs.
James Darin Meritt, M.D., Respondent and W.J. Stoecker, M.D., Appellant/Cross-Respondent
Click here to view full case
FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE HEART ATTACK
$2.5 MILLION VERDICT
Our attorneys represented a man who had a heart attack the day following an office visit with his primary care physician. We argued the doctor failed to recognize the signs and symptoms of an impending myocardial infarction (heart attack) and failed to recommend our client to a cardiologist. As a result of his heart attack our client suffered permanent brain injury. The defense made no offer to settle prior to trial and the case proceeded to trial. Following a week long trial the jury returned a verdict in the sum of 2.5 million dollars in favor of our client.
RADIOLOGY AND INTERNAL MEDICINE ERRORS RESULT IN WRONGFUL DEATH
$1.2 MILLION VERDICT
Our attorneys represented the family of an elderly woman in a case from Scott County Missouri. Suit was brought against a primary care physician who failed to follow up on a patient he had sent for a CT scan to investigate the cause of her abdominal pain. Suit was also filed against a radiologist who misread the CT scan, failing to recognize evidence of a bowel perforation. As a result of the delay in diagnosis and treatement our clients' wife and mother died. No offer to resolve the case was made by defendants prior to trial. Following a four day trial the jury returned a verdict in favor of the husband and daughter of the deceased in the sum of $1.2 Million.
X-RAY TECHNICIAN ERROR RESULTS HIP FRACTURE
$850,000 VERDICT
Our client was a patient at a St. Louis County hospital following a serious car accident. During her hospitalization employees of the hospital dropped our client while transferring her to an x-ray table. As a result of her fall she suffered a broken hip. No pre-trial offer to resolve the case was made and the case proceeded to trial. A jury verdict was returned in favor of our client and her husband in the sum of 850,000 Dollars.
WOMAN LEAVING AN EMERGENCY ROOM FRACTURES SKULL
$5 MILLION VERDICT
Our client had been taken to the emergency room of a rural Missouri hospital following a car accident. She suffered from a jaw fracture and had been dizzy and had suffered a temporary loss of consciousness. She was discharged from the hospital following her examination but was not provided a wheel chair to assist her in transfer to her grandmother's car. While being assisted to the vehicle by her aged grandmother our client again lost consciousness, fell and struck her head, resulting in an epidural hematoma. As a result of bleeding on the brain she acquired a seizure disorder requiring daily medications to control her epilepsy. Following a two week trial and 45 minutes after retiring to deliberate, the jury returned a verdict of 5 Million dollars. This verdict was reported as one of the 10 highest verdicts in the state for that year.
FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE CANCER, LAST CHANCE OF RECOVERY THEORY
$4.6 MILLION SETTLEMENT
Our attorneys obtained a verdict in favor of a woman whose physicians failed to diagnose her cancer taking away her chance of recovering from cancer. DAVE please fill in details
WOMEN INVOLVED IN CAR ACCIDENT RECEIVED SEVERE FACIAL INJURIES
$900,000 SETTLEMENT
We represented a young woman who was injured when a car in which she was riding rolled-over. The defendant maintained he had been forced from the road by a phantom vehicle that had left the scene. A thorough investigation by our team revealed evidence of alcohol consumption by the defendant driver. The case was settled the first day of trial for $900,000.
BOTCHED GALLBLADDER SURGERY
$3.1 MILLION VERDICT
We represented a Macoupin County, Illinois woman in a lawsuit brought against her treating surgeon. She was injured when the surgeon placed a clip across her common bile duct during gall bladder removal surgery. Our client thereafter suffered debilitating pain from her incision and was unable to return to work. Her medical bills and lost wages totaled approximately $300,000 Dollars. No offer of settlement was made by the defense and we proceeded to trial. Following a 4 day trial the jury returned a unanimous verdict in excess of 3.1 Million Dollars. The jury verdict actually exceeded the sum suggested by our lawyers during closing argument. Local newspapers reported the verdict to be the largest in the history of Macoupin County. http://www.thetelegraph.com/onset?id=1891&template=article.html
INJURED PASSENGER IN TRUCKING CASE
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our firm successfully represented a woman who was injured when a dump truck in which she was riding as a passenger overturned while attempting to negotiate a turn. During trial the parties negotiated a confidential settlement.
VERDICT IN FAVOR OF THE FAMILY OF A WOMAN WHO PASSED AWAY AWAITING TREATMENT IN HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM
$1.9 MILLION VERDICT
This case involved an elderly woman who had been taken to an emergency room with complaints of chest pain. Rather than evaluating her immediately she was instructed to take a seat in the waiting area. After waiting to be seen for one-half hour she suffered a massive heart attack and died. We prosecuted a wrongful death case on behalf of her adult children. The defense made no offer to resolve the matter and we proceeded to trial. Following a five day trial during which our lawyers demonstrated violation of hospital protocol, the jury returned a verdict in the sum of 1.9 Million dollars.
THREE YEAR OLD BOY PASSES AWAY WHEN HIS MENINGOCOCCEMIA GOES UNDIAGNOSED
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Meningococcemia is a blood-borne infection, deadly if untreated with antibiotics. This case involved a young boy who was taken to the emergency room exhibiting signs and symptoms of serious infection. He was misdiagnosed with a viral infection and was sent home with his mother. Tragically, he died the following day. A wrongful death suit was brought by our firm on behalf of his mother who survived him. Following trial a confidential settlement was reached with the defendant.
NURSING MEDICATION ERROR RESULTS IN ELDERLY WOMAN'S DEATH
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
We represented the family of an elderly woman who was assisted in her medication management with in-home skilled nursing care. One of her visiting nurses failed to properly fill her pill planner, resulting in several days passing without medication essential to treat congestive heart failure. As a result of the prescription medication error, our client's mother died. A wrongful death suit was filed on behalf of her surviving children and following a comprehensive investigation by our team, a confidential settlement was obtained in favor of the family.
ERRONEOUS INJURY TO ULNAR NERVE DURING ULNAR NERVE RELEASE
$200,000 VERDICT
During an orthopedic surgery to release an entrapped ulnar nerve, the surgeon cut the nerve, resulting in loss of use and feeling in our client's pinkie on her dominant hand. No settlement discussion was offered and after a four-day jury trial, a verdict in the sum of $200,000 was obtained in favor of our client.
BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURY DURING LABOR AND DELIVERY RESULTS IN SEVERE INJURY TO CHILDREN
MULTIPLE CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENTS*
Our attorneys have represented several children who received brachial plexus injuries secondary to undue traction used by the OB/GYN during the delivery process. Each of the brachial plexus injury and Erbs' palsy injury cases in which we have represented children have resulted in confidential settlements in their favor.
NURSING HOME FALL RESULTS IN ELDERLY WOMAN'S DEATH
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
We represented the family of an elderly nursing home resident. During the evening she was discovered by a nursing home staff member on the floor of her room and in obvious pain and distress.Notwithstanding clear evidence she had fallen and was suffering, the staff elected to return her to bed. No physician was contacted till much later the following day. By the time the x-ray staff had completed her films and gotten them to the physician she had died. Our experts determined the fall had caused a rib fracture, a very painful condition. Unable to draw proper breath from her rib pain, she died the following day. A confidential settlement was obtained in favor of her family as a result of her wrongful death.
YOUNG BOY DIES AS A RESULT OF UNDIAGNOSED INFECTION
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
This case involved the death of a young child. The child was taken by his family to their local emergency room as he had become quite ill, exhibiting signs and symptoms of an infectious process. The physicians misdiagnosed him with a viral syndrome and discharged him home, prescribing no antibiotics. He died several days later from sepsis caused by a bacterial infection. A confidential settlement was obtained in favor of his surviving parents.
SUICIDE FOLLOWING PREMATURE DISCHARGE FROM A PSYCHIATRIC FACILITY
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
We represented the widow of a gentleman who, suffering from depression, was prematurely discharged from a psychiatric unit though he was not stabilized. A note was later found in his recently vacated room, evidencing his plan to take his own life. Following discharge, he committed suicide. Following the filing of suit and extensive discovery and investigation, a confidential settlement was obtained in favor of his widow.
FAILURE TO TREAT BLEEDING FOLLOWING THYROID SURGERY RESULTS IN PATIENT'S DEATH
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
A confidential settlement was obtained in this case of an unfortunate woman who, following thyroid surgery, developed a hematoma in her neck. Her surgeon failed to appreciate the danger this accumulation of blood presented to her airway and delayed draining the bruise surgically. The hematoma eventually compressed her trachea (windpipe) resulting in her suffocation and death. Settlement was obtained in favor of her surviving husband and young child.
CITY BUS STRIKES BICYCLIST RESULTING IN FOOT FRACTURE
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our client was struck from behind by a city bus that had been following too closely on rain slicked streets. As a result he was thrown from his bicycle resulting in a foot fracture. A confidential settlement was obtained against the Metropolitan Bus Company in our client's favor.
DEFECTIVE AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCT RESULTS IN THE DEATH OF A NINE-YEAR-OLD BOY
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our attorneys represented the family of a young boy who was ejected from a vehicle during a roll-over accident. Though he was belted in, the seat belt assembly was defective, allowing him to be ejected from the vehicle. A confidential settlement was obtained in favor of his surviving family.
WOMAN SUFFERS BRAIN INJURY DURING NECK SURGERY
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our attorneys represented a woman who incurred a significant brain damage following cervical spine surgery. During the surgery, blood flow was interrupted to her brain resulting in significant mental impairments for this 51-year old woman, resulting in her total disability. A confidential settlement was obtained in her favor.
THIRTY-SEVEN-YEAR-OLD WOMAN TREATED FOR PNEUMONIA, PHYSICIANS FAIL TO RECOGNIZE AN EVOLVING HEART ATTACK
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
A confidential settlement was obtained in favor of a thirty-seven year-old woman who had been admitted to a local hospital with complaints of chest discomfort. An EKG was misinterpreted resulting in the delay in treatment of an evolving heart attack and as a result, she suffered permanent cardiac injury with reduced ejection fraction. A confidential settlement was obtained in her favor.
UNDERINSURED MOTORIST CLAIM
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our attorneys represented a gentleman in an underinsured motorist claim against his own insurer arising out of a motor vehicle accident. Our client was side-swiped in the car accident with resulting back injury. As a result of the accident he was disabled from his usual employment. A confidential settlement was obtained in his favor.
INTRAVENTRICULAR BALLOON PUMP'S FAILURE DURING CARDIAC BY-PASS SURGERY RESULTS IN WOMAN'S DEATH
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our attorneys represented the family of a woman who passed away following the failure of a device intended to assist her blood-flow following cardiac surgery. The device failed to function appropriately and a spare device was not properly maintained. A claim was made against both her physician as well as the company who manufactured the device. A confidential settlement was obtained in favor of her family.
TEENAGER INJURED IN MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT OBTAINS POLICY LIMITS SETTLEMENT OF HIS UNINSURED MOTORIST CLAIM
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our teen age client was involved in a single car accident with an uninsured motorist. We represented him in his claim against his own insurer arising out of his facial fracture. A policy-limit settlement was ultimately obtained in his favor.
RADIOLOGY ERROR RESULTS IN MAN'S DEATH
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
A rural hospital and its radiology department failed to recognize a subdural hematoma on an elderly man's CT scan following a fall at home. He was discharged without treatment and subsequently passed away from his brain bleed. A confidential settlement was reached in favor of his surviving children.
NEONATAL FAILURE TO DIAGNOSE HIRSCHSPRUNG'S DISEASE RESULTS IN INFANT'S DEATH
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Following an infant's delivery, the treating newborn baby doctor's failed to recognize correctible genetic disorder, Hirschsprung's Disease. As a result, there was a delay in treating this condition resulting in the infant's death. The claim of the surviving parents was resolved by a confidential settlement.
SURGICAL ERROR RESULTS IN NERVE INJURY, PERMANENT DISABILITY TO ARM
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our attorneys represented a young woman who, during a surgical biopsy of a bony growth on her shoulder, suffered nerve injury when the orthopedic surgeon cut, in addition to bone from her shoulder, nerve tissue. As a result a result of the nerve injury, she lost significant use of her upper extremity. A confidential settlement was obtained in her favor.
POOR POSITIONING DURING ABDOMINAL SURGERY RESULTS IN MEDIAN NERVE INJURY
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
A confidential settlement was obtained against an anesthesiology group for failure to properly position a patient during a lengthy abdominal surgery. When the patient awoke, he suffered significant dysfunction of one of the nerves in his right arm.
EMERGENCY ROOM FAILS TO RECOGNIZE AND PROPERLY TREAT PRIAPISM
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our attorneys represented a young man who suffered a complication from his use of a prescribed medication. Though he timely went to the emergency room, the doctor failed to recognize the urgent nature of the condition and failed to call in a specialist. As a result, he suffered a permanent loss of sexual function. Following the filing of a lawsuit, a confidential settlement was obtained in his favor.
WOMAN DIES FOLLOWING A CARDIAC CATHERIZATION FROM A MAJOR RETROPERITONEAL BLEED
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
We represented the family of an elderly woman who underwent a cardiac catherization to evaluate her coronary vessels. Following the procedure, she suffered a retroperitoneal bleed which was not discovered by her physician prior to discharge. There was an additional delay in recognition of the bleeding following her return to the emergency room via ambulance. As a result, she passed away. A confidential settlement was obtained in favor of her surviving children against the treating health care providers.
MISMATCHED TIRE AND RIM RESULTS IN EXPLOSION DURING THE AIRING OF TIRE
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our client suffered severe facial injuries as well as traumatic brain injuries when a tire exploded while filling the tire with air. We filed a products liability lawsuit against the tire and rim manufacturers, claiming that the tire and rim were mismatched and therefore, defective. We also asserted claims that the manufacturers failed to warn of the defective and dangerous nature of their products. A confidential settlement was obtained in our client's favor.
DELAYED DIAGNOSIS OF NECROTIZING FASCIITIS RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANT ABDOMINAL INJURIES
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our client presented to a rural hospital with complaints of pelvic and abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with a simple infection, prescribed antibiotics and sent home. The doctors had faield to recognize she was actually suffering a much more severe blood-borne infection ("sepsis") as well as necrotizing fasciitis (commonly referred to as the "flesh-eating bacteria"). Delayed treatment resulted in multiple surgeries to remove the diseased tissue resulting in permanent cosmetic injuries as well as disabling pain. We obtained a confidential settlement in her favor following the filing of a lawsuit.
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT RESULTS IN MOTHER'S LOSS OF A CHILD AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT PERSONAL INJURIES
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
We represented a wife and husband for claims arising out of an intersectional car and truck accident at a road construction site. Claims were made against several parties, including companies that provided road construction services. Our team argued the contruction site was not properly marked with warnings and that traffic barrels were improperly placed, contributing to driver inattention and confusion. As a result of the accident our clients lost their unborn child and the mother suffered significant personal injuries. A confidential settlement was obtained in favor of our client and her husband.
MATERNAL INGESTION OF PHARMACEUTICALS RESULTS IN CHILD'S PERMANENT PARALYSIS
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
We represented a young child who suffered from spina bifida brought on by his mother's use of prescription medicine she took while pregnant. She was neither warned of the danger of the drug nor given other medications to counter the dangerous effects of the prescription pharmaceutical. Claims were brought against her treating physicians and the pharmacy involved. A confidential settlement in the child's favor was obtained.
MOTHER PASSES AWAY FOLLOWING VISITS TO TWO SEPARATE DOCTORS WHO FAILED TO DIAGNOSE NECROTIZING FASCIITIS
$1 MILLION VERDICT AND CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Claims were brought against an orthopedic surgeon and family practice physician, who saw our client's wife for complaints of severe arm pain. Neither physician recognized the signs and symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis (also known as the "flesh-eating" bacteria). Due to the failure to diagnose this bacterial infection progressed unchecked and took her life. A confidential settlement was obtained against one of the two physicians. The claim against the other physician proceeded to trial with a gross verdict in our client's favor in excess of $1 million.
FAILURE TO TREAT PATIENT'S AORTIC ANEURYSM RESULTS IN SUBSEQUENT RUPTURE AND PARALYSIS
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
We represented a woman who had suffered from multiple abdominal aortic aneurysms. Though an aneurysm was recognized by her cardio-thoracic surgeon, no surgery was done to repair the aneurysm. The aneurysm subsequently ruptured resulting in massive bleeding. As a result of the bleeding and the surgery to correct the same, our client suffered resultant paraplegia. A confidential settlement was obtained in our client's favor.
ILLINOIS MAN DIES FOLLOWING FAMILY PHYSICIAN'S FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF ANGINA
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
We represented the widow and son of a gentleman who presented to his family physician with a long history of signs and symptoms consistent with cardio-vascular disease. No EKG was performed and no other cardiology work-up was ordered. Subsequently, he suffered a massive heart attack and passed away. A confidential settlement was obtained in favor of his wife and son.
EMERGENCY ROOM FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF TESTICULAR TORSION RESULTS IN LOSS OF TESTICLE
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our client had presented to local emergency room with abdominal pain consistent with testicular torsion. The treatable disorder went undiagnosed and our client was discharged. The condition was subsequently diagnosed, but at that point, the damage was irreversible and the testicle was surgically removed. A confidential settlement was obtained in his favor.
FAILURE TO RECOGNIZE CHEST WALL INFECTION IN CONJUNCTION WITH A CENTRAL LINE RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF THORACIC TISSUE
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our client had a central line placed for treatment of an unrelated disorder. Bacteria advanced down the central line into his chest and infected his chest wall. The condition went undiagnosed by several physicians for a significant period of time. When ultimately diagnosed, major reconstructive surgery was required to repair the bone and tissue destroyed by the infectious process. A confidential settlement was obtained in his favor for the failure to recognize, diagnose and treat the chest infection.
BOTCHED GALLBLADDER SURGERY RESULTS IN LOSS OF SPLEEN
CONFIDENTIAL SETTLEMENT*
Our client had undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. During a subsequent exploratory procedure to investigate post-operative bleeding, clips placed during the first procedure were dislodged, resulting in a bile leak. Also, during the procedure, significant lacerations were caused to her spleen. The defendant surgeon failed to recognize the signs and symptoms of the bile leak which was allowed to go on for several weeks. As a result of the malpractice, our client lost her spleen as well as suffered bile peritonitis which caused permanent injuries to her abdomen. A confidential settlement was obtained in her favor.
MENTALLY DISABLED MAN PRESENTS TO EMERGENCY ROOM WITH BOWEL PERFORATION WHICH WENT UNDIAGNOSED RESULTING IN HIS DEATH
$675,000 VERDICT
In this case, suit was brought by the elderly father of our client who was an institutionalized,mentally disabled man. Our client's son was taken to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. Suit was brought against two of our client's son's treating physicians who had failed to get a timely surgical consult for his abdominal infection. As a result of the failure to obtain timely surgical intervention, our client's son passed away. Defendants made no offer to resolve the case in advance of trial and a jury found each defendant liable, awarding damages in the father's favor in the sum of $675,000.
